Any chance of getting card sent to my Hotel?
 

Don't live in MCO, but travel there at least twice a year for Vacation.

Wondering if I can apply for clear, do the interview and then get the card sent to my hotel so I can use it when we leave (staying for 16 days).

Anything to avoid the Vacation Lines is worth it.

If you're inclined to even think about this, I certainly wouldn't bother at this point with the TSA poised to try their own brand of "registered traveler". Your money is far better spent getting Global Entry so you'll be eligible for the TSA's RT program.

Already have GE (for free with Amex) but trusted traveler won't help my wife or daughter who only travel twice a year.

For me the money is worth it if I can avoid the MCO lines.

How much does Clear cost? Compared to the $100 on Global Entry....

$179 + $50 for another member (kids are free)

For me it is $50, since my membership is covered by my company.

GE is Free with Platinum Amex, but doesn't include NEXUS/SENTRI yet, so it only helps returning to US but not going to Canada,Mexico and doesn't help with security at MCO or DEN

You should also keep in mind that CLEAR always works, whereas TSA PreCheck is a random selection program, so you don't always derive a benefit.

Clear is an expensive scam IMO, and this is coming from someone who travels out of MCO regularly. And while the security lines at MCO may look terrible, I don't remember the last time I actually had to wait more than 10 minutes in line. They have a crazy large number of WTMDs and x-rays so the line moves very quickly. Also, keep an eye out for the black diamond lines. They usually do a good job keeping kids out of those.

What's good about the new RT program? They abandoned the old one.

The fact that you don't have to take off your shoes, belt, or light clothing.. Laptops and kipper bags can also stay in your carry-on. And the biggest benefit is that the TT lanes are only WTMD..

Why not get them GE too?

My daughter is 15 so I got cards for her and my wife and GE too.
$175 (and free GE) vs $200.

Figure we will probably all travel outside US once in next 5 years, so worth it for that and also for Trusted Traveler.

SFO
 

Sounds like CLEAR is finally coming to SFO. From an email today:


"In addition to DEN and MCO, you'll be able to speed through SFO with CLEAR. I'll email you CLEAR's official SFO launch date after final Airport Commission approval, which is scheduled for January 31st."

I got the same email and of course am interested. But I note it doesn't say anything about which airlines and which terminals. Seems unlikely it can be _all_ terminals and airlines at SFO -- that would mean they were suddenly employing at least 30-40 people there, which is a huge investment. So, how do we tell??

So by the time you reach the belt, how do the TSA screeners know you are a Clear traveler and entitled to this special treatment (laptops, belts, kipper bags)??

I tried to reactivate (your remaining membership starts on first use or when it becomes active at your "home" airport) but I just got an error. I guess they still aren't ready.

So with the TSA's trusted traveler program is there anything left for Clear? Sure, that program hasn't rolled out everywhere yet and will take a while until it does, but when it does, what's left for Clear?

Starman: Clear was previously at T3 and the International terminal at SFO. I don't know if they ever expanded to T1 or not. T2 wasn't open when it was there before. But it's a good question and one I sent in also. To answer your other question, there was a separate entrance for Clear with attendants to help you at the kiosk and with your stuff. Once verified, they would insert you into the front of the regular line right at the x-ray belt, helping you with your stuff. It was great, it was like having your own personal concierge escort you and help you through the checkpoint.

-David

I was a CLEAR member the last time around and of course the service did work as you described. But if I understand the posts in this thread from 2011 onwards, the reborn CLEAR does not provide the concerge service, but merely provides a shortcut that skips the ID checker and lets you go directly to (but to the end of) the belt line. If this is right, I'm wondering how once in the belt line, you get special privileges like shoes on, no laptop out, etc. How do they know who you are??